2012-2013 How to do Things with Theory

Seminars and tutorials: Alena Alexandrova, Doreen Mende, Jorinde Seijdel

This year's guest lecturers: Florian Cramer, Mark Fisher, Mladen Dolar, Konrad Becker, Chris Kraus, Adania Shibli, Geert Lovink, Nikita Dhawan

Participants: all students 

In the final months of their studies at he DAI the students have to complete a written thesis. This is the culmination of the two-year course Reading for Writing or How to do Things with Theory, which consists of a monthly theory seminar/ plenary session, an evening lecture delivered by a guest speaker and one-to-one meetings between the students and the thesis tutors Alena Alexandrova, Doreen Mende and Jorinde Seijdel. For the plenary sessions the master students have to read, discuss and briefly introduce theoretical texts from various fields. They develop skills to read, research and formulate questions for further research. In addition to that, practical issues related to research and writing are addressed in a writing workshop. The evening lecture, curated by either Alena Alexandrova or Doreen Mende or Jorinde Seijdel and delivered by a distinguished guest provides a broader context, and a chance to get acquainted with current research, and curatorial projects. While during the first year the focus is on developing research skills and a central question for the thesis, formally submitted as a thesis project, during the second year the students engage in further research and writing the thesis.

The thesis is a written text and it is designed to help the students to develop skills to formulate relevant questions, which strengthen their artistic practices, and simultaneously allow them to position their work in a broader context. Theory is considered as field that ideally provides students with conceptual tools and strategies in their creative practices. The border between the theory and creative practice is porous and allows for interpenetration of ideas and approaches.

Each thesis is presented to a carefully selected independent reviewer/examiner.

For an overview of thesis titles plus abstracts and their subsequent external reviews from earlier years go here.

Read more about:

Alena Alexandrova's reading group sessions per DAI-week

Doreen Mende's reading group sessions per DAI-week

Jorinde Seijdel's reading group sessions  per DAI-week